Marylhurst University to close at the end of 2018, board says

by KATU Staff

Marylhurst University homepage on May 17, 2018.jpg

WEST LINN, Ore. – Marylhurst University will be closing down after nearly 125 years, school officials announced Thursday.

The liberal arts college’s Board of Trustees voted to shutter the college at the end of 2018, citing several factors like a decline in enrollment and an inability to restructure their resources to keep the school's academic programming at the same levels.

Board Chair Elect Chip Terhune made the announcement to staff on Thursday morning. He said that the decision to close was not due to “accreditation issues, recalled loans or negative audits that often accompany other universities’ closures.”

“While this decision is sad and difficult for everyone involved, we feel it’s the best decision for students, faculty, staff and our entire community,” Terhune said.

Marylhurst University President Melody Rose said she wanted to reinforce that students, faculty and staff are her main focus through the transition.

"The message with students, naturally, is that they are the focus of our preparations at this point," Rose told KATU News, adding that they are "really working to have a customized solution for every student that we matriculate here."